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Exploratory Chemistry and Catalysis

In order to create greater efficiencies in the physical and chemical processes during upgrading, it is very important to study and understand the chemical transformation of hydrocarbon molecules involved in catalysis. CanmetENERGY scientists, in collaboration with external partners, are working together to develop breakthrough catalytic processes for bitumen upgrading and bitumen derived distillates in order to:

improve the product quality and reduce environmental impact

improve the energy efficiency of the existing upgrading processes

Current research projects being undertaken at the National Centre for Upgrading Technology (NCUT) and its partner organizations include:

design sulfur resistant hydrogenation components

selective-ring opening via hydrocracking and partial oxidation

novel catalytic process for removal of napthenic acid from bitumen

study the poisoning effect of organic nitrogen compounds to the cracking catalysts

quantum chemistry modeling to support catalyst development and to understand the catalytic reaction path